Stalk shredding implement



Jan. 7, 1933.

L. B. 'NEIGHBOUR STALK SHREDDING IMPLEMENT Filed June 15, 1928 4 Sheets-'Sheet NNN dem@

firm@ Jan. 79 1933 Y B. NElGHBouR STALK SHREDDING IMPLEMENT Filed June 13, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. u, 1933. l.. B. NEIGHBQUR 1,894,412

STALK SHREDDING IMPLEMENT Filed June 13. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 /ZZ 556/ 6'@ 5g M Z4 l l/ jg @1 5 fC/5 W (9J/51?@ f f5 5, af

Jan. 17, 1933. 1 B. NElGHBouR I STALK SHREDDING IMPLEMENT Filed June 13, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jari 17, 1933 l UNITED s'ATl-:s

PATENT OFFICE LEONARD NEIGHBOUR, 0F INIOLINE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO DEERE COMPANY, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS STALK SHRED'DING IMPLEMENT Application led June 13,

This invention relates to a stalk shredding implement, and more particularly to shredding mechanism adapted to be associated with a vehicle and drawn through the field containing the standing stalks to be shredded.

The object of this invent-ion is to provide a device of the above-identified character, which is adapted to be moved along a row of stalks to be shredded and comprising sets of saws, each set being made up of a plurality of closely associated saws and with the saws of one set overlapping those of the other set, so that stalks encountered will be thoroughly pieces. p

Another objectof this invention is to provide a stalk shredding device which may be employed as a field ensilage cutter and, in which case, it shreds and cuts the corn stalks, together with the ears of corn thereon, or `it may be employed as a means of cutting the corn stalks into fine pieces and preparing them in condition to be plowed into the soil, in which case it would, preferably, be associated with a corn picker of any well-known construction.

It is a well-known fact that, in comparatively recent years, the insect known as the corn borer and that known as the cotton boll-weevil have become a great menace to agricultural districts. 'The most effective manner of combating these insects appears to be to destroy the stalks in which they live, by completel cutting them to pieces and into such smal pieces that every insect therein will be killed. By the use of my improved corn stalk shredding implement, stalks, of whatever character that may be encountered thereby, will be cut and shredded into pieces down to approximately three-eighths of an inch or smaller, thereby effectively destroying the aforesaid insects and, at the same tune, preparing the stalks in such avmanner that they may be plowed into thel soil as fertilizer.

In combating the corn borer, a saving of time and expense is effected by shredding or disintegrating the stalks at the same time that the ears are picked, and to this end, it is also one of the objects of the invention to provide a combination corn picking and stalk shredand vcompletely shredded and cut into'yine ably so that they will have independent float- 1928. Serial N0. 284,904.

they will shred the stalks down to a point in close proximity to the ground, and prefering support on the ground along the corn row and can thereby rise and fall directly with the uneven surface of the ground.

In order that others may understand my invention, I have shown, in the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the above describedcorn picking and stalk shredding implement.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a-plan view of the implement being drawn by a tractor;

Figure 2 is a left side elevation of that shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectionalL view, taken on the line '3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevation of one side of that shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the saws, incorporated in my invention; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a spacing washer used between the saws.

In Figure l, is illustrated a corn picker, designated generally by numeral 5, and the same is provided with a composite draw-bar 6 arranged to be engaged and drawn by a draw-bar 7 of a tractor 8 which is of any suitable type and only fragmentarily shown in the drawings. A power take-off 9 leads from the tractor to suitable coupling means and drive shaft to the coupler 11 on the right side of the stalk shredding device. The coumeans of flexible disc members 16, secured* Y, J pler 11 comprises semi-circular castings 12 and v'13 s lined on shafts 14 and '1 5, respectively. uch castings are opposltely disposed and operatively secured ltogether by to said castings by means of bolts 17, as best illustrated in Figure 3.

The .crn `picker 5, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a suitable frame Jstructure 18, sup orted by Wheels 19 for movement throug the corn ield and along theL rows ofJ corns'tobew picked. Suitable shoes 21 are arranged to pass each side of the row of corn and guide the stalks toward and in between the pickingrolls 22, which removev the ears from the stalks. A yoke member 23v is provided for bending the taller stalks forwardly as they pass through vthe rolls 22, thereby insuring that the entire length of the stalk will pass between the rolls and clogging at the rear end of the rolls ,will be prevented. A conveyor-24 receives the ears from thepiokin rolls and conveys them to a suitable hus g arrangement 25, the details of which arel as they are not a part of this invention.`

The mechanism of the corn picker is preferably operated through the medium o f suitable chains, gears, and shafts, operatively connected with the power take-oil 9, in sonic such manner as illustrated in Figures; and

2, but as these details are not a art of this invention, the description thereo is believed to be unnecessary.

' As best illustrated in Figure 3, my stalk shredding device comprises two sets o oppositely rotating saws 28. The saws of one set overlap those of the other set, in the manwith the lower end of the enlarge ner illustrated, so that it is impossible for a -stalk of any kind whatsoever to pass through between the two sets without becoming cut and shredded to bits.

Each set of saws is composed of a plurality of individual saws, such as illustratedv in Figure 7, having` an irregular shaped opening therein and eing spaced apart by washers 29, suchas that illustrated 1n perspective in Figure 8. The irregular shaped openings 31 and 32 in the saws and washersfrespectively, are of, such size and shape as to accurately fit on the shafts 33. The lower end of each shaft 33 is turned down to a reduced cylindrical portion 34 and is surrounded by a collar 35, ,arranged to be engaged by and provide a` seat for the lowermost saw. The collar 35 is held into firm engagement portion of the shaft, by means of a nut 36, having threaded engagement on the extreme lower portion of theshaft. Ball bearings 37 engage the collar 35 and provide easy operation of the same. A suitable packing ring 38 is fitted within a recess in the lower side of the collar 35, for preventing the escape of oil from the bearing compartment 39, the bot- .held in place by bolts 42 not herein shown, f

a guideplate 41, for -protecting the ball bearings from dirt and damage.

tom of which consists of The shafts 33 are reduced and threaded at the upper end thereof and a 43, adjacent fitted onto the portion 43 and collar 44 is extends downwardlyoverthe upper .'end'of the same sulicientlv to enga-ge and secure in place the upper saw 28. By this arrange-- ment, it will be readily understood that all the intermediate saws between the ends of the ,shafts 33 are* securely held in position.

For the purpose of driving the shafts 33 inl opposite directions, 1 have provided the same with bevel .gears 45, secured thereto by keys-46.

The gears 45 mesh with. gears 46 on the shaft 15, within the housing 47'V which is adapted to be'illed with oil vor grease-for -lu rica-ting the gears and the bearings'.V rllhe upper end of both shafts 33 are arranged to operate on ball bearings 48 supported within the casings .49, which are ings 1n the bottom of the main casing 47.

The casings 49 are provided with flanges.

51 on the lower edge thereof, adapted to engage below the surrounding portion of the casing 47 andare secured thereto by suitable bolts 52 and having 'a gasket 53 interposed between the flange and the casing 47. Lock i also be employed with the,

washers 54 may bolts 52 for securely holding them in place.

It will be noted that the circumference :of the gears 45 is slightly smaller than that of the openings through the bottolii of the casL ing 47, so that by removing the bolts 54,-the sets of saws together with their bearings and ears 45 may be removed as a unit, thereby acilitating repairs and replacement of any broken parts. On one end of shaft 15 is mounted a'iiywheel 55, having a web portion 56, secured by bolts 57 to hub portions 58v and the assem, b y is secured to the shaft 15 by a set screw 59, as best shown in Figure 3.

fitted through openh The housing 47 is provided with openings i in the ends thereof, arranged and adapted to receive end castings 61 which are fitted about the shaft 15 and have seated therein ball thrust bearings 62-for the gears 46. l ll.

The castings 61 may be removed from the housin by first removing the. set. screws 63, which old the flanges thereof to the end 64 of the housing and after the castings are removed, the shaft 15, together with tbe gears 46, may be readily withdrawn'throughthe end opening. 4

' Shaft 15, in addition to 4being a driving medium for the saws-28, is a' pivotal axis/ for the entire device. Angle bars 65'and 66 are a part of the main frame of the corn-picker and brackets 67 and 68 are respectively se Cured to the angle bars by means of suitable bolts 69 and 71, The brackets 67 and 68 are fitted on the reduced en d Vportions 72.0f the thereon. by washers 73 and bolts 74, which allow the reduced portions of the castings 61 to rotate in the brackets and also provide means by which the entire shredding device may be readily detached lfrom the vehicle conveying it. 4

' In order that the stalk cutting device will have the propel' rigidity and remain con, .stantly in alignment, it is provided with va frame consisting of downwardly extending angle bars 81 which are secured to the housing 47 by bolts 82, as shown in Figure 5. The lower ends of bars 81 are bolted to the bottom-casting 83, from which tubular bosses or housings 84 extend. A transverse shaft 85 passes through the tubular bosses. The lower guideplates or housings 41 are formed as a part of the bottom casting 83 and it will be noted that upwardly extending flanges 41 on said housings 41 embrace depending flanges on the rotating collars 35 and prevent the entrance of dirt to the lower bearings. Angle 'arms 86 are fitted on to and secured to the shaft 85, by means of bolts 87, so that when the shaft 85 is rotated, the arms 86 rotate therewith, kwhen the portions 88 of the angle arms 86 are raised and lowered.

Bolts 89 pass through the horizontal portions 88 and on the outer ends of bolts 89 are positioned ournals 91 which are integral with horizontally extending angle bars 92 having cylindrical portions 93 on each end thereof adapted to receive the upper cylindricai portion of wheel forks 95. lVheels 96 are rotatably mounted between the forks on suitable bearing bolts 97. In order that the saws 28 will operate above the ground at a predetermined height, I have provided a quadrant 98 on one side of the saw frame.

and cooperatively positioned with respect thereto is an arm 99 having a'lever 101 secured thereto by bolt 102. A dog 103 is pivotally secured to the lever 101, by means of lugs 104 and bolt 105 and the same is adapted to be operatively engaged and disengaged with the notches 106 in the quadrant 98, by means of a rod 107 operatively7 connecting the dog 103 and the member 109'on the lever 101. By this construction, it will be noted that the shredding mechanism is secured for pivotal movement about the supporting shaft 15 and rides on a carriage having wheels 96 engaging the soil, as the contonr ofthe soil rises and falls. l

As best illustrated in Figure 4, the stalk, after passing through the picking rolls 22, will pass backwardlv between the stalk guides 22 and be received between the forwardly extending shoes 114 and the stalk pick-up members 115 which direct the stalk to the saws. The shoes 114'and the members 115 are secured together by bolts 116 and they are secured as a unit to the bars 117 by means of bolts 118. The/rear ends of bars 117 have openings therein through which the shaft 85 passes and they, therefore, are'adapted to oscillate on the shaft 85 and permit the shoes 1.14 to slide freely along the soil as the shredding device proceeds. I

Since stalks which are desired to be shredded by this ,device are, ordinarily, planted intermittently or in hills spaced apart, the `utility of the ily-wheel 45 is apparent, as it tends to maintain the cutting knives or saws at a constant speed of rotation and the flexible connection`11 on the other end of shaft 15 cushions the drive to Athe saws and also avoids the necessity of accurate alignment between the shafts 14 and 15. Y

I do not wish tov be limited to the details herein illustrated and described, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modiiica.-

tions as are embodied within the scope of the "u appended claims..

l claim as my invention: 1. A device of the character described,

Vcomprising in combination a vehicle, a frame 'for' said vehicle, a stalk shredding device supported thereby, said shredding device comprising two sets of overlapping cutting discs arranged to be moved along a row of stalks to be shredded, pivotal means for securing said shredding device to said frame and means movably carrying the lower end o said shredding device so that the shredding device may rise and fall relative to the vehicle frame in travelling over uneven ground..

. 2. A device of the character described, comprising in combination a vehicle, a frame `for said vehicle, pivotal` supporting means on said frame, a stalk shredding device supported thereby, means on the lower end of said shredding device arranged to ride on the soil and raise and lower with the variations thereof, said shredding device comprising two cooperating sets of circular cuttin saws, arranged to be moved as a unit alon t e row of stalks to be shredded, and means or rotating said cooperating saws.

3. A device of the character described, comprising the combination with a propel`l ling vehicle having a power take-oli', of a second vehicle having a frame, pivotal supporting means on said frame, a stalk shredding implement supported v thereby, said shredding implement comprising two sets of cooperating cutting saws, arranged to be moved along a rowof stalks to be shredded, and means for rotating said saws from the power take-olf of the propelling vehicle.

4. A corn picker comprising in combination a frame, picking rolls mounted on said frame arranged to remove ears of corn from the stalk, stalk shredding mechanism supported by said frame, said shredding mechanism oomprisin cooperating sets of overlapping cutting iscs arranged to be' moved along a row of stalks to be shredded, means -rioo the stalk, a stalk shredding mechanism secured to said pivotal supporting means, said mechanism comprising two sets of overlapping cooperating circular saws, arranged to be moved along a row of stalks to be shredded, means for supporting the lower ends of said sets and having means thereon arranged to engage and ride upon the soil, and power take-off means from a propelling vehicle arranged to operate said saws.

6. A device of the cNharacter described comprising in combination a stalk shredding mechanism, a ivotal support for said mechanism, adjusta le means engaging and riding on the soil for supporting the lower end of said mechanism, said mechanism comprising two sets ofV saws arranged to rotate in opposite directions, the saws of one set overlapping those of the other set, each set comprising a plurality of relatively closely spaced sawl arranged on a shaft for rotation therewit er hearing members of both of said sets eing disposed within the same head, power means arranged for operating said saws and a iy-wheel for maintaining a constant speed of rotation.

7 Av device of the character described comprising a stalk shredding mechanism arranged to be moved alonga row of stalks to be shredded, 'pivotal supporting means for the upper end of said mechanism, a frame for said mechanism, adjustable means on the lower end of said frame arranged lto ride upon the surface of the soil for moving the lower end o said mechanism up and-downasthe frame travels over uneven ground, said mechanism comprising two sets of cooperating cutting means, each of said sets comprising circular saws and spacing washers alternately positioned on Van irregular shaft, clamping means for securing said saws in position, bearings for said shafts, a gear on 'the upper end of each shaft, and a drive shaft operatively connected with said gears.

8. A device of the character described comprising a stalk shredding mechanism arranged to be moved along a row of stalks to be shredded, Vpivotal supporting means for the upper end of said mechanism, a frame for said mechanism, adjustable means on the lower end of said frame arranged to ride upon the surface of the soil for movin@ the lower end of said mechanism up and own m position,

bearing members for said saws, the upl aaaaaaa as the frame travels o ver uneven ground, said mechanism comprising two sets of cooperating cutting means, each of'said sets comprising circular saws and spacing washers alternately positioned on an irregular shaft, clamping moans for securing said saws bearings for said shafts, a gear on the upper end of each shaft, a drive shaft operatively connected with said gears, and shoes and stalk pick-up devices arranged forwardly of said saws.

9. A device of the character described, comprising the combination of a vehicle having a frame, a stalk shredding device including a'- shredder frame pivotally supported at one end by said vehicle frame, and cooperating sets of cutting devices arranged to be moved along a row of stalks to be shredded, means for operating said cutting devices, and a liy wheel operatively connected to said cutting devices.

10. An implement of the comprising the combination of a corn pickel` having a frame, a stalk shredding mechanism including a second frame pivoted at its up per end to the frame of the picker, and a plurality of cutters rotatably carried by said second frame, means adapted to engage and ride upon the soil for supporting the lower end of said shredder frame, and means to operate said cutters. A

11. An implement of the class described,

class described,

having a frame, a stalk shredding mechanism including a. second frame pivoted at its upper .end to the frame of the picker, and a plurality of cutters rotatably carried by said second frame, means including rollers adapted to engage porting the frame, and means to operate said cutters. 12. An implement of the class described, comprising the combination of a corn picker having a frame, a stalk shredding mechanism including a second frame pivoted at its upper end to the frame of the rality of cutters vrotatably carried by said second frame. means including a carriage" adapted to engage and ride upon the soil for supportngthe lower end of said shredder frame, means for adjusting the position of the shredder frame on said carriage whereby the distance between the soil and the cutters may be regulated, and means to operate said cutters.

13. An implement of the class described, comprising the combination of a cor-n'picker having a frame, a stalk shredding mechanism including a second frame pivoted at its upper e'nd to the frame of the picker, and a plurality of cutters rotatably carried by said second frame, means for Hoatingly supporting the lower end of the shredder frame upon the soil,.and means for operating the cutters.

ld. An implement ci the class described,

picker, anda plucomprising the combination of a corn picker having a frame, a stalk shredding mechanism inchiding a second frame pivoted at its upper end to the frame of the picker, and a plurality of cutters rotatably carried by said second f rame, means for ioatingly supporting the lower cud ofthe shredder frame upon the soil. means for adjusting the position of the cutters on said supporting means whereby the distance between the cutters and the soil may be regulated, and means for operating the cutters.

15. An implement of the class described, comprising the combination of a corn picker having a frame, a stalk shredding mechanism including a second frame pivoted at its uppcr end to the frame of the picker, and a plurality of cutters rotatably carried by said second frame, means for fioatingly supporting the lower end of the shredder frame upon the soil, means projecting forwardly from and carried by said supporting means to guide the stalks to said cutters, and means for operating the cutters.

16. An agricultural implement comprising a wheel supported trame, a second frame pivotally supported near its upper end on said first named frame and movable with respect thereto, a stalk cutting device .supported on the second frame and comprlsmg cutting devices rotatably mounted in the second frame and arranged to move along a row of plants to be cut, and means for operating the cutting devices.

17. An agricultural implement comprising, in combination, a vehicle having a wheeled frame, a pivotal supporting means journaled near its upper end on said frame, a stalk cutting implement supported by said journaled supporting means, said cutting implement comprising sets of cooperating cutting elements, arranged to be moved along a row of stalks to be cut, means to drive said elements including a transverse shaft disposed coincident with the journal axis of said pivotal supporting means, and a power takeoff from a propelling vehicle arranged -to rotate said shafts.

18. An agricultural implement comprising, in combination, a corn picker having a frame and picking mechanism thereon, and stalk cutting mechanism including a second frame movably supported with respect to the picker frame and a stalk cutting element carried by said second device.

19. An agricultural implement comprislng, in combination, a vehicle, a frame, Jfor said vehicle, and a stalk cutting device pivotally supported thereby, said device comprising cooperating cutting devices arranged to move along a row of stalks to be cut and means for adjusting the height of said device relative to the ground. l

20. An agricultural implement comprising, in combinatlon, a vehicle having a frame,

a stalk cutting device supported byI said frame, said cutting device comprising a set of rotating cutting knives arranged to be moved along a row of stalks to be cut, the axis of rotation of said knives extending downwardly and rearwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle, and means for guiding stalks toward said cutting device.

21. A device of the character described, comprising the combination of a vehicle having a frame, a stalk cutting device including a cutter frame pivotally supported at one end by said vehicle frame, a shaft, cutting devices arranged on said shaft and adapted to be moved alonga row of stalks to sever portions from the stalks, and means for Voperating said cutting devices including a transverse shaft and bevel ear connections between said transverse sha and the upper end of said first named shaft.

A machine of the class described comprismg,

in combination, a wheeled frame, a l

stalk cutter mounted at its forward end on the frame and adapted to swing in a longitudinal plane, said stalk cutter including a series of cutting elements each adapted to sever the stalk and to rotate in a plane inclined to the normal position of the standing stalk, and means connected with the lower end of said cutter for raising the cutter relative to the ground.

23. An agricultural im lement comprising a 'tractor propelled rame adapted to pass down the row of stalks, a shaft journaled for rotation in the frame, a second frame pivotally connected at its upper end to the wheeled frame for movement about an axis coincident with the axis of said shaft, means for driving said shaft from the power take-ofi' of the tractor, a second shaftl extending in a generally upwardly direction, a bevel gear on the uper end of said second shaft, a companion bevel gear meshing therewith and carried by said first shaft, and a plurality of stalk cutting elements carried by said second shaft.

24. An agricultural imple-ment comprising a wheeled supporting frame, stalk cutting means pivoted at one end to said frame, means for supporting the other end of said cutting means on the ground, the lower end of the cutting means being thereby permitted to -rise and fall in traveling over uneven ground, and means for raising said other end of the cutting means.

25. An implement of the class described, comprising a wheeled frame, stalk cutting mechanism including a second frame pivoted at one end with respect to said first frame and a plurality of cutting elements carried by the second frame, the force of gravity acting to frame close tothe ground, means for driving the cutting elements, and means for guiding stalks to the cutting mechanism.

los y hold the lower end of said second 26. Afdevice ofthe character described, comprising the combination with a ropelling vehicle having a power take-oli o a second vehicle havin a. frame, pivotal supporting means on sai frame, a stalk cutting implement supported thereby,'said cutting implement comprising cooperating cutting elements arran ed to be moved along a row of stalks to be shredded, and means for rotating said elements lfrom the power take-oil' of the pro elling vehicle.

' 2?. An agricultural implement comprising a wheel supported frame, a second frame including a housing at the upper end thereof pivotally supported on said irst named frame, a stalk cutting device supported on the second frame and having one end journaled in said housing, and driving connections for said cutting device including gear means disposed in said pivotally supported housing.

28. An agricultural implement comprisa ing, in combination, a wheeled frame, a transversely disposed housing, bearing means supporting said housing on said frame, a second frame supported at its upper` end by said housing, a shaft having its upper end journaled in said housing, cutting devices carried by said shaft, means for driving said 'shaft including a second shaft journaled for rota- 3 tion by said bearing means coincident with the axis of said housing, connections between said shafts disposed in said housing, and means' for raising the lower end of said second frame.

29. An agricultural implement 'compris-y ing, in combination, awheeled frame, spaced bearings on said WheeledA frame, a housing pivotally supported in said bearings, a sec v ond frame fixed to said housing, a generally 4 upwardly extending shaft having its lower end journaled in the second frame and its upper end journaled in said housing, a power shaft sup orted for rotation in said bearings, and a pair of bevel gears disposed in said housing and connecting said shafts, said second frame and housing being movable about its transverse axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the power shaft.

30. An agricultural machine of the class 5 described comprising, in combination, a wheeled fra-me, a cutter frame includingan upper transverse housing and a downwardly extending framework, upper and lower bearings on said cutter frame, a rotatable shaft journaled in said bearings and carrying a plurality of sta-1k' cutting elements, said rotatable shaft extending into said housing, and means in said housing for driving said shaft.

n witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 8th day of J une, 1928.

' LEONARD B. NEGHBOUR. 

